Gujarat farmers to intensify their stir if SIR is not scrapped

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The Jamin Adikar Andolan Gujarat (JAAG), representing farmers, said here today that it would intensify its agitation against the Mandal-Becharaji Special Investment Region (SIR), if the Gujarat government does not abolish it by August 15.
JAAG activists have also threatened to adopt violent means if their demands are not met.
"We will destroy the foundation of the proposed Maruti Suzuki India plant at Hansalpur village of Ahmedabad district's Viramgam taluka and burn cabins erected by the company if the Gujarat government does not abolish the SIR by August 15," JAAG convenor Lalji Desai threatened.
He was referring to the Maruti car plant, covered by the Mandal-Becharaji SIR located at Hansalpur village on the Viramgam-Becharaji highway, which the Gujarat government wants to develop as an "auto and knowledge hub".

The farmers' protest had received support from the RSS-affiliated farmers' union Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) on June 8, when it passed a resolution against the Gujarat government's move.
Calling the SIR Act a "black law", JAAG convenor Lalji Desai said that the Gujarat government must abolish it and allow farmers to farm their fertile land and sustain their livelihood.
"If Chief Minister Narendra Modi does not abolish the SIR, we will organise a bike rally to the Vidhan Sabha in Gandhinagar and not leave the place until the SIR is abolished," Desai told reporters at a press conference organised at Khet Bhavan here.

On July 11, the Gujarat Chief Minister had constituted a four-member minister team to look into all aspects of the SIR and take a decision by August 15.